Vaughn's offering was high, but that's not important. It reached catcher Carlos Hernandez, a 1998 teammate of Vaughn's, and that's the main thing.

“I'm very, very privileged,'' Vaughn, 47, said. “And I am very grateful for the opportunity.''

Chances are a Padre will have a difficult time duplicating Vaughn's 1998 feat of 50 homers. It was a special season for Vaughn, and the team, as it advanced to its second World Series.

“It was special, but I would have traded those 50 home runs for a World Series title,'' said Vaughn, who is retired and resides in Sacramento. “I wouldn't change anything about my career, but I would have liked another chance at the World Series.''

Instead the Padres took a wrecking ball to the '98 club, and in swapping Vaughn, made history. No player smacking 50 homers, before or since, was peddled before the following season.

“We would have loved to have one more shot,'' Vaughn said. “But I did all I could to stay here.''